Sorry for the lack of content, I have been working on the World Cup sections of the website trying to get them all up and running before the big kick off on June 11th, even though being Scottish my country isn’t there I still love the competition and everything about it, a love affair that start when I was 9 and Italia 90 entertained me for 4 weeks.

13 days now till South Africa face Mexico in the opening game, by Tuesday every nation must submit the 23 players chosen the represent their respective country, some countries have made the squads public already but#a1 the majority are still making the final picks, England manager Fabio Capello still has to trim his 30 man squad to 23, the two friendly games against Mexico and Japan will have helped to make his decisions but people will still have differing opinions on who should stay or go.

Against Mexico Adam Johnson and Aaron Lennon impressed as subs, Carrick didn’t do anything to strengthen his position, then against Japan, Bent did well with limited service, Walcott was very poor, Joe Cole came on in a new system and performed well, Heskey should have scored but didn’t.

So I think I will post 2 squads, my 23 and what I think Capello’s will be.

My 23 first, I will name my starters then the subs.

Starting XI:

  GK – Joe Hart
Experience is overrated, Casillas made his name in the Champions League final, Joe is a great keeper and would be solid for England.

LB – Ashley Cole
One of the best Left Backs in the world.

CB – John Terry & Rio Ferdinand
As shaky as this partnership has looked recently I’m sure everyone would still start them.

RB – Glen Johnson
He may not be able to defend but he is still a danger going forward.

LM – Adam Johnson
Best left foot in the squad, has trickery, delivery and a great attitude could be a star at this world cup

CM – Frank Lampard
20+ goals this season auto pick

CM – James Milner
without Gareth Barry and Carricks poor form, James needs to play

RM – Aaron Lennon
Great pace, very dangerous

AM – Steven Gerrard
Plays fantastic behind Fernando Torres so why no Rooney and brings the best out of Stevie

CF – Wayne Rooney
No need for a reason

SUBS

GK – David James & Robert Green – they pick themselves

LB - Leighton Baines – better option than Stephen Warnock, good left foot, decent defender

CB – Michael Dawson & Ledley King – King on his day can be superb and Dawson has been one of the best cb’s in the Premier League, I can’t pick Upson as he has not performed as well as Dawson

RB – Jamie Carragher – only other) in the squad so has to go

6 spots left

CM – Scott Parker – hard working central mid, superb for WHU should have been tried against Mexico better than Carrick

AM - Joe Cole – alternative to Gerrard or Johnson or Lennon very versatile could perform in the Gerrard position

RM – Shaun Wright-Phillips – still has that spark that can change a game, great pace and skill, more consistent than Theo.

CF – Peter Crouch, Jermaine Defoe, Darren Bent – Three strikers that all add something, Crouch will always trouble teams with his height, Defoe has pace and can finish, and for me Bent should be on that plane due to his form this season.

So that’s my squad, I am picking that as if Barry is out, if he’s fit Parker is out and Barry starts for Milner.

This is what I think Capello’s 23 will be

Starting XI

GK – James RB – Johnson CB – Terry and Rio LB – Cole

LM – Milner CM – Gerrard & Lampard RM – Lennon

CF – Rooney & Heskey

Subs

GK – Green & Hart

LB – Baines CB – Upson & King RB – Carragher

CM – Carrick AM – Joe Cole RM – Theo Walcott LM – Adam Johnson

CF – Defoe & Crouch

So the differences, Fabio will take Upson as he has used him regurarly, Heskey will start as a target man to help Rooney, even though his form has been awful Michael Carrick will get a place, Theo will go as Fabio loves him and Bent will be left out.

I would love to hear everyones thoughts and your squads.

We will see how right I am on Tuesday.